Overnight parking ban urged at busy lookout

March 22, 2013

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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This is a popular sitting spot at a San Clemente lookout that some call "Top of the World." Some neighbors complain that it has become a late-night party place for teenagers. FRED SWEGLES, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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This is the view toward Dana Point from a popular lookout on the 700 block of Avenida Salvador in San Clemente. FRED SWEGLES, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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This is a view of the San Clemente Pier from a lookout point on Avenida Salvador. FRED SWEGLES, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Cigarette butts line the sidewalk at an Avenida Salvador lookout point Wednesday afternoon in San Clemente. Neighborhood volunteers are said to walk the sidewalk daily to remove trash. FRED SWEGLES, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Trails and gathering areas appear to have been carved into vegetation on a hillside on Avenida Salvador that affords expansive views of San Clemente. FRED SWEGLES, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Broad views from Dana Point to the San Clemente Pier can be seen from this vacant lot at 790 Avenida Salvador in San Clemente. FRED SWEGLES, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The remains of a beer carton are left in bushes atop a hill along Avenida Salvador in San Clemente. The spot is a popular lookout point. FRED SWEGLES, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A Smirnoff carton is among the trash visible down the slope from an Avenida Salvador lookout point that some neighbors say has become a nighttime hangout for drinking, drugs and other activities. FRED SWEGLES, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Avenida Salvador resident Kelson McDaniel, a former San Clemente police chief, is seen on a video monitor addressing San Clemente planning commissioners about problems with drinking and other activities at night along his street. FRED SWEGLES, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

This is a popular sitting spot at a San Clemente lookout that some call "Top of the World." Some neighbors complain that it has become a late-night party place for teenagers.FRED SWEGLES, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

SAN CLEMENTE – Worries about alcohol, drugs, litter, loud music and sex have led 12 hilltop residents in San Clemente to petition for parking restrictions at a popular lookout point on their street.

City planning commissioners voted, 6-0, Wednesday night to ask the City Council for a six-month ban on parking between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. daily at 790 Avenida Salvador to try giving residents relief.

What it is: A wide vacant lot between homes along a San Clemente hilltop that affords a view of much of the city.

Why the concern: Residents said youths drive there at night to hang out, play loud music, dance and party, leaving trash including alcohol containers, broken glass and cigarette butts. They said trash on the hillside is "disgusting" and draws rats. They claimed drug deals also take place.

Incidents: One resident reported discovering a couple having sex on top of a parked vehicle. Another said a car doing "doughnuts" on the street flipped over and that youths got it upright and fled before sheriff's deputies arrived. On summer nights, residents said, noise will awaken them at 2 a.m.

Resident's quote: "It's three or four (cars) at a time," Kelson McDaniel told commissioners. "But they come frequently. They come to party after a ballgame or something like that, and then 20 or 30 kids will show up and they start dancing in the street and they're drinking beer and they're raising Cain. Sometimes we hear their noise over our TVs."

Different view: Resident Susan Pierce said only six households are requesting a parking restriction and that the measure could move the problem in front of other homes. "The parking on Salvador is fine," she said.

Lot owner's view: Jerry Anderson said a parking ban won't work, as people will park nearby and walk to the lookout. He said he will need curb parking when he develops his property. He had no timeframe for that.

Response: McDaniel, a former San Clemente police chief, said youths won't park elsewhere and walk, as they want their cars with them.

Survey: City staff said it mailed 34 questionnaires to area property owners and got 18 back. Fifteen wanted no parking from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Two wanted a full-time ban. The lot owner, Anderson, wanted to leave parking as is.

Sheriff's Department view: A city staff report quoted deputies as saying the spot is like any other lookout – youngsters are apt to park, make out, smoke and litter. There are pockets in the bushes where they might take beer. Some likely are parking elsewhere and walking because they know residents will call when cars park at the lookout. Some residents have been seen walking to the lookout with glasses of wine to watch the sunset.

City staff's advice to the Planning Commission: Request more police presence. Restrict parking at the commission's discretion.

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